Mudslide closes tracks again

A mudslide Thursday morning has closed train tracks between Seattle and Everett, according to the Associated Press.

BNSF Railway spokesman Gus Melonas says the tracks will be closed to passenger trains and commuter rail until at least Saturday morning.

The slide happened at 10:10 a.m. about one mile south of Mukilteo in an area that experienced hundreds of slides this past winter. Melonas says this was the first slide in about three weeks.

Thursday's slide left mud and other debris five feet deep on the tracks. A tree trunk that is 20 inches in diameter and 40 feet long also fell on the tracks.

Melonas says Burlington Northern is working on long-term solutions to stop mudslides in the area.

Prior to Thursday, 170 Sounder commuter train trips had been cancelled this winter due to mudslides on the tracks. The railway prohibits passengers trains from using the tracks for 48 hours after a slide. Sound Transit provides bus service as an alternative.

Share your comments: Log in using your HeraldNet account or your Facebook, Twitter or Disqus profile. Comments that violate the rules are subject to removal. Please see our terms of use. Please note that you must verify your email address for your comments to appear.